Dick Armey and Trent Lott spoke Sunday with CNN’s Candy Crowley on State of the Union.

(CNN) – Former Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey, a leading voice in the Tea Party movement, said Sunday he disagreed with a leading conservative Republican's assessment of how establishment politicians in the Republican Party should regard Tea Party candidates if they're elected to serve in Washington.

Former Republican Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, a strong voice for conservatives, told the Washington Post in July "as soon as they [Tea Party candidates] get here, we need to co-opt them."

Armey told CNN's Candy Crowley on "State of the Union" that he felt Lott used "a bad choice of words."

"You were talking about a group of people whose necks stiffen immediately upon hearing that word," Armey said. "These are independent-minded people, they really have no particular appreciation for the performance of either party in the past several years. They want to run for office in order to change that."

Lott said the GOP leadership will need to work with newly elected Republicans to shape the party's agenda.

"It's not a matter of trying to get them to change their position," Lott said. "They are going to bring enthusiasm and new ideas and pressures in Washington, and I think that's good. But I do think the leadership has got to learn very quickly to work with them and turn it into positive energy."

Armey said he felt a marriage of anti-establishment Tea Party candidates and establishment GOP leadership could survive.

soundoff(30 Responses)

All you have to do is compare the two men, Armey the crook and Lott the revered, respected leader. Tells you all you need to konw.

September 12, 2010 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |

George Guadiane - Austerlitz, NY

Tea Party's first order of business IF (BIG if) they get any seats:

TIN FOIL HATS FOR EVERYONE.

September 12, 2010 02:50 pm at 2:50 pm |

frag

Watch the two Republicans put on a brave face as they realize that the party is split in two! "A house divided connot stand"............just about sums it up. We have one group who will not admit that their economic policies are a flop and want to continue them, Republicans) and the other half who wants to reject the policies, but doesn't have an alternative plan.
"It's the economy stupid".
If you don' t make enough money to pay taxes, then you won't benefit from a tax cut. We have to increase demand. Put money in the hands of people who BUY things, not people who invest. Let the government invest.............

September 12, 2010 02:53 pm at 2:53 pm |

Don W.

Tea Party people have no clue because they allow themselves to be brainwashed by Limbaugh, Palin, Beck, Levin, and the entire Fox group! They actually think that the government is taking our healthcare away from us, making wealthy wealthier, and a lot of other BS. We don't need them in either house of Congress!

September 12, 2010 03:18 pm at 3:18 pm |

D. Bunker

The GOBPbaggers are treasonous anti-Americans conned into doing the bidding of the wealthy predators who have declared war on the poor and middle class in America.